Weight gain

[Ashley]

I took Kovu to see his vet today. He is 13.5 pounds at 7 months. Oye!

He was there for his post neuter check up 2 moths ago & has gained 6.5 pounds since then. Which she said is above the norm. I told her we cut out dry food & he gets 1 can per day. 1/2 in the am & 1/2 in the pm. He gets a couple of Zuke's treats a day, but they are awfully tiny treats & he only gets 2-3 so its not a whole lot.

She said as long as he is acting healthy she isn't too concerned. That if he starts acting sick or loses his energy to bring him back in & we can run some labs & make sure he doesn't have diabetes. But right now he isn't really showing any signs of it.

He seems pretty back heavy. Like his head, shoulders, ect are all nice & slim but then when you get towards his back end it just gets... large. haha

So, we are hoping that maybe he'll just stay around 13-14 pounds and continue to grow UP.. not out. :/

 

[admin]

he is a bit stoutly, but remember, he is still a kitten and should grow lengthwise. Sounds like he needs a buddy to play with...he really needs more exercise perhaps to burn off some calories. One can of food does not sound like enough to me...perhaps he needs more protein instead of calories...I don't know what food you are feeding him though...

 

[Ashley]

he is a bit stoutly, but remember, he is still a kitten and should grow lengthwise. Sounds like he needs a buddy to play with...he really needs more exercise perhaps to burn off some calories. One can of food does not sound like enough to me...perhaps he needs more protein instead of calories...I don't know what food you are feeding him though...

He is eating Blue Buffalo Wilderness kitten. She said that it should be enough (I cut out his dry food). We've been walking him more & playing with him a lot. But she did also notice that the weight gain started after Glenn deployed. Glenn did play with him A LOT while I was at work, so it made since.

 

[admin]

Kitten food has many more calories than adult food and you may want to switch him to regular cat food...just a thought.

 

[Ashley]

Yeah, she mentioned that. We have 3 cans of kitten left, then I'm going to start him on the adult.

 

[Patti]

Adorable picture! I'm guessing Kovu will grow into his behind... ;-)

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I agree with transitioning him off the kitten food, as he does not need the added calories.... it's not just the weight it is how tall they are with that, and from the pic I can see he seems a bit stout as Paige says... and yes more exercise or an energetic companion kitty might help too! i don't know, I've not had this issue in anything but my British Shorthair and he's supposed to be on the chubby side of kitties

 

[Ashley]

I has hoping maybe with fostering he'll run around & be more active. I know it hasn't even been 24 hours since we've had Sarabi home. He wont even come upstairs. (the bathroom in which Sarabi is quarantined is upstairs at the end of the hall) He usually sleeps in my sons room so I tried bringing him up cause Elijah is like "I can't sleep without my Kovu!" I sat him down in Elijah's room & he bolted out the door back under the dining room table. lol So.. fingers, toes, & paws crossed that he comes around by the time her quarantine period is up!

He didn't eat last night either I noticed. I think he's still pissed off at me. He's probably thinking "Gah Ma, take me to the vet, get my butt checked with that beepy thermometer thing..twice! Bring home a new kitteh without even asking me. How rude!"

 

[Patti]

Poor Kovu, he sounds a bit confused. Hopefully he will come around before too long, just let him work it out in his own way and timing...

 

[Ashley]

I'm thinking he'll come around. I've been explaining to Elijah how important it is to make sure Sarabi doesn't get out of the bathroom. About a half hour ago he went to the bathroom, I asked him if he shut the door & he said yes. Then I heard what sounded like a cat darting down the stairs & I look & see Kovu laying next to me. I guess he shut it.. after Sarabi got out. lol Sarabi peeked around the corner, saw Kovu & ran back upstairs. On my way up to put her away she ran down again, peeked at Kovu, and darted back up again, but tried to go in my office. Silly girl.